Universal motion actuator



Sept. 30, 1952 A. R. KOCH, JR 2,612,049

UNIVERSAL MOTION ACTUATOR Filed Oct. 15, 1949 Patented Sept. 30, 1952 UNIVERSAL MOTION ACTUATOR Alfred Richard Koch, Jr., Freeport, 111., assignor,

by mesne assignments, to Minneapolis-Honeywell Regulator Company, Minneapolis, Minn., a

corporation of Delaware Application October 15, 1949, Serial No. 121,581

This invention relates to actuating mechanisms for actuator operated devices.

An important object of the invention is the provision of a switch actuator capable of actuating the switch in a uniform manner in response to movement of the operator in any of a multiplicity of directions approaching universal movement.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an actuating mechanism of the above character having novel means for converting tilting, rotatlve or axial movement of an operator into movement of a member engageable with an actuator to operate a device.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an actuating mechanism of the above character including an operator movable toward and away from an actuator on a device having novel meansfor converting the movement of the operator in either direction of movement into movement for actuating the device.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an actuating mechanism of the above character that is positive in its operation, that is readily attached to the device, that is easy to assemble, that is simple, that is rugged, and that is relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is an end elevational view of the actuating mechanism embodying the present invention mounted on a precision snap action switch;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation view of the actuating mechanism shown in Figure 1;

Fig. 3 is an opposite end view ofthe actuating mechanism shown in Figure 1;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 4-4 of Figure 1 with portions of the switch housing shown in elevation;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to Fig. 4 showing the relation of the parts when an axial force is applied to the stem of the operator;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view which shows the relation of the parts when the operator is rotated;

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary sectional view which shows the relation of the parts when the operator is moved ortranslated bodily in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the actuating mechanism;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view showing 12 Claims. (Cl. 74-1) 2 the relation of the parts when the operator is titled, and I Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view showin the relation of the parts when a pulling force is applied to the operator.

Referring now to the drawings the invention is shown embodied in an actuating mechanism for a plunger operated device such as a snap acting switch II actuated by an actuator comprising a plunger I2. In general the actuating mechanism is arranged to convert tilting, rotatlve or axial movement of an operator into longitudinal movement to move the plunger H2 in an operating movement of the switch II. In this embodiment of the invention the actuating mechanism includes a pair of levers or arms I3 and I4, an operator I6 having a wedging portion disposed between the levers I3 and I4, and support means for mounting the levers I3 and I4 and the operator I 6 on the switch II in a position to have one of the levers engage the plunger I2.

The support means shown includes a pair of spaced plates IT. The latter are disposed in side by side relation with opposite sides of the body of the switch II and are secured thereto as by bolts I8 or the like extending through the plates and the body of the switch I I. The lever I3, which is provided with upturned flanges I9 along its edges, is disposed between the plates I! in spaced relation to the plunger I2 and is pivotally supported near one end on a pin 2I extending through the flanges I9 and through the support plates I'I. Washers 22 may be disposed between the flanges I9 and the support plates 11 to minimize friction between the lever I3 and the support plates. The lever or arm I4, which is formed with downturned side flanges 23, is also disposed between the plates I1 and is in spaced side by side relation with the lever I3. At one end the arm I4 is formed with spaced upturned ears 24 shaped to be disposed between and in side by side relation with ears 26 extending downwardly from the side flanges IS on the lever I3. A pin 21 extending through the ears 24 and 26 provides a pivotal mounting for the arm I4 on the end of the lever I3. A tongue 20 depressed out of the plane of the lever I4 may be provided to effect engagement between the lever I4 and the plunger I2.

The actuator I6 includes a spacer 28 and a stem 29, the spacer being disposed between the face of the lever I3 and the face of the arm I4 and the stem 29 projecting upwardly through an opening 3| in the lever I3 to be accessible on the upper side of the latter. The spacer 28 in the present embodiment is circular in form and has faces 32 and 33 in engagement with the lever I3 and the arm I4 respectively so that upon tilting of the disc in any direction the arm I4 is forced or wedged away from the lever I3. The dimensions of the opening 3| and the stem 29 are such that the operator may be freely tilted, twisted or moved axially with respect to the lever I3 and arm I4. A downwardly extending projection 34 is formed on the disc 28 at one side of the longitudinal axis of the operator I6 receivable in a complementary recess 36 formed on the opposed face of the arm I4. The walls of the recess 36 are shaped so that when the operator I6 is twisted or rotated the projection 34 acts, on the walls of the recess, urging the arm I4 away from the lever I3 the plunger I2 to operate the switch. Normally very little rotary motion of the operator I6 is required to eifect actuation of the switch. The projection 34 does not clear the recess 36 so that upon release of the force, the projection 34 reseats in the recess 36. The spring system of the switch urges the, plunger I2 and in turn the arm I4 to: their original position shown in Fig. 4 so as to aid in the seating of the projection in the recess.

' Fig. 7 shows the relation of the parts when an operating force is applied to the operator I6 in a force.

to rotate the same about its pivotal support. In

other words, the projection 34 and recess 36 form a cam means between the operator andpthe'arm I4 and the lever I3 for urging the arm I4 away from the lever upon twisting movement of the operator to actuate the switch I I.

An abutment 31, in. the form of a crosspiece supported at opposite ends by the support plates I! at a position between the operator I6 and the pivotal connection between the lever I3 and the arm I4, acts as a stop and provides a fulcrum about which .the arm I4 pivots when a pulling force is applied to the operator to move the operator axially awayv from engagement withv the arm I4.

In this embodimentof the invention the precision snap switch II has a spring system 35 of the self-return type; that is, the spring system in the switch II is arranged so thatwhen' the operating pressure is released from the plunger I2 the spring system tends to return the plunger I2 to its initial position. Thus, through the eifects of the spring system the arm I4 is urged to the position it assumes as shown in Fig. 4. It is to be understood however that a separate spring may be utilized to return the component parts of the actuating mechanism to a preselected given position in lieu of depending upon the spring system of the snap action switch.

The operation of the actuating mechanism is illustrated in Figs. 4-9. The arrows atthe right hand side of the stem 29 of theoperator indicates the direction of force applied to the operator I6.

In Figures 1 through 4 the lever I3, the arms I4 and the operator I6v are in their. normal position, itbeing understood that the parts are biased to this position by the spring system in the switch II. In his positionv of the parts ..the tongue rests on the end of the plunger I2 and the disc 28 is disposed between the arm and lever so that the surface 32 of the disc abuts against the bottom of the lever I3 and the surface 33 of the disc abuts against the top of the arm I4.with the projection 34 disposed in the recess 36.

Fig. 5 shows the position of the parts when a force is applied to the operator I6 in a direction .to move the operator axially toward the plunger I2. As pressure is. applied to the operator the arm I4 pivots about the pin. 21 and urges, the plungerI2l axially to actuate the switch I I. Upon release of the force on the operator IS, the. spring system in the switch IIurges the operator I6 a'ndthe arm I4 to return to their normal position shown inFig.4.

Fig. 6 shows the relation of the parts whenrotation is applied to the operator I6.. Upon rotation of the operator the, projection, 34 bears against the side walls of the recessfl36 forcing the arm I4 downwardly to press the tongueimagain'st direction at right. angles to the longitudinal axis 'of the stem 25 to effect translation of the operator sufiicient' to operate the switch under such a The projection 34 moves relative to the sidewall of the recess 36 and causes the arm I4 to be forced or-wedged toward the switch as shown to depress the plunger I2 of the switch. Upon release'of the force the parts assume their initialposition shown in Fig. 4. v I

Fig. 8 shows the relation of the parts when th switch is operated in response't'oa force. applied to the stem 23 in a direction to cause tilting thereof. While in FigJSothe tilting force is shown. as being applied to the stem 23 inone radial direction it will be understood'that'the same action results when a' similar force is applied at any point around thestem. This force causes an edge of the surface 33 to engage the I4 and a'di-. ametrically opposite edge. of the'surface 32 to engage the lever I3. As a consequence: the arm I4 is urged or wedged awayfromthe'lever I3. By making the disc 28; circular; the plunger is prevented from rotating wheni'atilting. force is applied thereto, Upon release of the tilting force the parts return to their normal position.

Fig. 9* shows the relation of the; parts when a pulling force is applied to the ope'ra'tor I6- As a pulling force is applied, to the stem 29 the top surface 32 'ofithe disc bearing against the lower surface of the lever I3 causes rotation thereof about its mounting pin 2|; p This raises the pivot pin 21 by which. the arm I4.is mounted on the lever I3. Since the arm I4 normally. engages the stop 31, such movement of the pivot pin 21 causes the arm- I4 to rotate about the stop 31 as a. center thereby moving. the finger 20 toward the switchrto depress theplunger I2 and operate thejswitch.

The invention provides. relatively simple mechanical device jca'pable of operating. a. switch or other mechanisms" capable of operation by a similar type of movement wherein force canbe applied to'thestem in'almost any direction and yet act to operate themechanism. This provides greatv flexibility: in thewmanner, and. position in whichthe switch or otherdevice may be mounted with v respect. to the means, from which the device is operated, amatt'er of considerable importance with] the actuator and switch as used 'insafety. devices."

I claim: j p I 1., In adeviceofitlie,characterj-described, the combination of an operator, means fonmounting said operator permitting rotative, tilting and axial movement thereof, a member shaped. to engage an actuator of a deviceiandmofvable between preselected positions to actuate the device, and lever means carried by saidmperator directly engaging said member for converting any of said above'described. movementsof the) operator into actuating movement of said member.

'2. In an operating mechanism for a device actuator,v an operator free to be rotated, tilted or moved toward said actuator, and cam means carried by-saidnoperator directly engaging said arm operable to convert any of said above described movements into movement of said arm to actuatethe device. v

3. In an operating mechanism for a device having an actuator, the combination of a pivotally mounted arm engageable with said actuator and movable between preselected positions to actuate said device, an operator mounted for rotary, tilting or axial movement relative to said actuator, and a cam carried by said operator to move therewith at one side of the-line of moveoperated,by an actuator, the combination of a pivotally mounted .arm engageable with said move said actuator to operate said device, and a .stem rigid with said wedging member and pro- *jeeting through one of said levers and operable I auponapplication of force thereto toefiect one ment thereof and a cam surface on said arm engaged by said cam to convert any of said abovedescribed movements into movement of said arm between said preselected positions.

4. In a mechanism for a device operated by an actuator, the combination of a first lever engageable with said actuator and movable between opposed positions to actuate said device,

a second lever in spaced relation to said first lever and pivotally connected to said first lever, fixed means forming a pivotal support for said second lever, a wedging member disposed between said first and second levers tiltable in any direction and movable toward the actuator to move said first lever between said preselected positions, cam means acting between one of pot the above described movements of the wedging member.

,8. In an actuating mechanism for a device operated by an actuator, the; combination of spaced mounting plates,..means for detachably securing said plates to opposite sides of said v a lever disposed between said plates in spaced-relation to said actuating member, means said levers and said wedging member operable to move said first lever between said preselected positions upon rotation of said wedging member, and means connected to said wedging member operable upon the application of force thereto to effect one of the above described movements of the wedging member.

5. The combination recited in claim 4 in which the wedging member is movable toward and away from the actuator and stop means is provided to be engageable by said first lever upon movement of the wedging member away from the actuator to effect movement of the first lever between said opposed positions.

6.In an actuating mechanism for a device operated by an actuator, the combination of an arm engageable with said actuator and having a recess formed on a side thereof away from said actuator, a lever in spaced relation to said arm and pivotally connected at one end to said arm, said lever having an aperture intermediate its ends, fixed means pivotally supporting the the actuator to urge said arm away from the lever to move said actuator to operate the device, said rigid member having a projection for pivotally mounting one end of said lever on said plates to have the opposite end movable between Opposed positions, an arm in spaced relation to said lever between said device and said lever and engageable at one end with said actuator, means for pivotally supporting the opposite end of the arm on said opposite end of the lever, an operator including a portion disposed between said lever and said arm tiltable in any direction, rotatable about an axis and movable axially toward or away from the arm to move the arm to actuate the device, and a second portion arranged to be accessible and operable upon application of force thereto to effect one of the above described movements of the first portion.

9. In an actuating mechanism for a device operated by an actuator, the combination of a support shaped to be attached to the device, a first lever in spaced relation to said actuator pivotally mounted on said support, a second lever disposed between the first lever and the actuator pivotally supported on the first lever, said second lever being movable between opposed positions and engageable with the actuator to actuate the device, a wedging member disposed between said first and second levers tiltable in any direction and movable toward the actuator tomove said second lever between preselected positions, cam means acting between one of said levers and said wedging member operable to move said secondlever between said preselected positions upon rotation of said wedging member, and means operable upon the application of force thereto to effect one of the above described movements of the wedging member.

10. The combination recited in claim 9 in which the wedging member is movable axially toward and away from the actuator with an abutment shaped to be received in said recess on the arm operated by an actuator, the combination of a mounting plate shaped to be attached to the side of said device, a first lever engageable at one end with said actuator, a second lever in spaced side by side relation to said first lever and pivotally 75 actuator to actuate the device.

11. In an actuating mechanism for a device operated by an actuator, the combination of a support, means for detachably securing the support to said device, a lever in spaced relation to said actuating member, means for pivotally mounting one end of said lever on said support to have the opposite end movable between opposed positions, an arm in spaced relation to said lever between said device and said lever and,

engageable at one endwith said actuator, means for pivotally supporting the opposite end or the arm on said opposite end of the lever, an operator including a portion disposed between said lever and said arm tiltable in any direction, rotatable about an axis, movable axially toward or away from the arm and movable transaxially to move the arm to actuate the device, and a second portion arranged to be accessible and operable upon application of force thereto to client one of the above described movements of the first portion.

12. In a mechanism for a device operated by an actuator, the combination of a first lever engageable' with said actuator and movable said second lever toward said actuator, a second 20 2,374,868

stop engaging said first lever intermediate its pivotal connection to said second lever and said first lever between said pre-selected positions, and

means connected to said wedging member operable upon the application of force; thereto to effect one of the above described movements of said wedging membeiz ALFRED RICHARD KOCH, J R.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are oirecord in the file of'tl'iis' patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS N umber Name Date Kri'eg'er May 1, 1945 2,397,978 Paulus et a1 Apr. 9, 1946 2.481487 Johnson Sept. 20, 1949 

